2020 SUBARU BRZ Owners Manual

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
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WARNING
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions.
■
When working in the engine compartment
● Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from the moving fan and engine
drive belt.
● Be careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right
after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
● Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper or rags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the bat-
tery. Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.
● Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
■ When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Vehicles without a keyless access with push button start system: Be sure the
engine switch is off. With the engine switch in the “ON” position, the electric
cooling fans may automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or
the coolant temperature is high. ( →P. 362)
Vehicles with a keyless access with push button start system: Be sure the
push-button ignition switch is off. With the push-button ignition switch in
“ON” mode, the electric cooling fans may automatically start to run if the air
conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature is high. ( →P. 362)
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in the eyes.
CAUTION
■If you remove the air cleaner element
Driving with the air cleaner element removed may cause excessive engine
wear due to dirt in the air. Also a backfire could cause a fire in the engine
compartment.

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Engine hood
Release the lock from the inside of the vehicle to open the engine
hood.
Pull the engine hood release
lever.
The engine hood will pop up
slightly.
Push the auxiliary catch lever
to the left and lift the engine
hood.
Hold the hood open by insert-
ing the supporting rod into the
slot.
When holding the supporting
rod, hold it by the grip portion.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
Grip

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WARNING
■
Pre-driving check
Check that the engine hood is fully closed and locked.
If the engine hood is not locked properly it may open while the vehicle is in
motion and cause an accident, which may result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION
■When opening the engine hood
● Do not lift up or operate the wipers. Doing so may cause the engine hood
and wipers to contact, scratching the engine hood.
● Use caution when opening the engine hood in windy weather as it may
close suddenly in strong wind.
● Do not attach any accessories other than genuine SUBARU products to
the engine hood. Such additional weight on the engine hood may cause it
to be too heavy to be supported by the supporting rod when opened.
■ When closing the engine hood
Do not apply excessive weight or force when closing the engine hood as
doing so may result in damage.

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Engine compartment
Battery (→P. 364)
Engine oil level dipstick (→ P. 357)
Brake fluid reservoir (→ P. 362)
Engine oil filler cap (→ P. 358)Washer fluid tank
(→ P. 368)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( →P. 362)
Radiator ( →P. 362)
Engine coolant reservoir (→ P. 360)
Fuse box ( →P. 393)

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Engine oil
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■ Checking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine
and turning it off, wait more than five minutes for the oil to
drain back into the bottom of the engine.
Hold a rag under the end and
pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check
the oil level.
When checking the oil, look at both sides of the dipstick and use the
lower measurement to determine the level of oil.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully. Low
Full
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 6

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Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near
the low level mark, add engine
oil of the same type as already in
the engine.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed before
adding oil.
Remove the oil filler cap by turning it counterclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.
Engine oil selection →
P. 492
Oil quantity
(Low → Full) 1.1 qt. (1.0 L, 0.9 Imp. qt.)
Items
Clean funnel
■ Engine oil consumption
Some engine oil will be consumed while driving. The rate of consumption
can be affected by such factors as transmission type, driving style, terrain
and temperature. Under the followi ng conditions, oil consumption can be
increased and thus require refilling between maintenance intervals:
● When the engine is new and within the break-in period
● When the engine oil is of lower quality
● When the incorrect oil viscosity is used
● When engine braking is employed (repeatedly)
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

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●
When the engine is operated at high engine speeds (for extended peri-
ods of time)
● When the engine is operated under heavy loads (for extended periods of
time)
● When the engine idles for extended periods of time
● When the vehicle is operated in stop and go and/or heavy traffic situa-
tions
● When the vehicle is used under severe thermal conditions
● When the vehicle accelerates and decelerates frequently
Under these or similar conditions, you should check your oil at least every
2nd fuel fill-up and change your engine oi l more frequently. Different drivers
in the same car may experience different results. If your oil consumption rate
is greater than expected, contact y our authorized SUBARU retailer who may
perform a test under controlled conditions.
WARNING
■ Used engine oil
● Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as inflammation or skin cancer, so care should
be taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used engine
oil from your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
● Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do
not dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the
ground.
Call your SUBARU dealer, service station or auto parts store for informa-
tion concerning recycling or disposal.
● Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.

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Engine coolantThe coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and “LOW”
lines on the reservoir when the engine is cold. Reservoir cap
“FULL”
“LOW”
If the level is on or below the
“LOW” line, add coolant up to the
“FULL” line.
CAUTION
■To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on a regular basis.
■ When replacing the engine oil
●Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
● Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
● Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you fill the oil.
● Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.
■If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine coolant filler cap, radiator cap,
drain cock and water pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have your SUBARU dealer pressure test the cap
and check for leaks in the cooling system.